Snap-hook.



J. B. BAXTER.

SNAP HOOK.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 20, 1910. 1,092,238. Patented Apr. 7, 1914;

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COLUMBIA PLANOORAPH c0., WASHINGTON D c J. B. BAX TER.

SNAP HOOK, APPLICATION FILED DEC. 20, 1910.

1,092,238, Patented Apr. 7, 1914.

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r cm *0: won money a? 0 r0 rinrrnn srnrns rn'rnnr canton JOHN B. BAXTER, OF WATERVLIET, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO COVERT MANUFAC- TUBING COMPANY, OF WATERVLIET,

NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SNAP-HOOK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 2', 1914.

Application filed December 20, 1910. Serial No. 598,3 l6.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN B. BAXTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at .Vatervliet, in the county of Albany and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Snap- Hooks, of whichthe following is a specification, reference being had therein to the ac companying drawing. I

The present invention relates to certain improvements in snap hooks, and includes certain details in the construction and arrangement of the aarts cooperating to make a more efficient and economical form of hook of the character described, with a fewer number of parts and which parts may be readily assembled and detached as desired.

The invention also includes a novel form of tongue for the hook, one which may, if desired, be stamped from a single sheet of metal, and which when positioned on the hook will have a more direct action on the spring in the use of the hook than was possible with prior constructions, and one which is of a form to otherwise facilitate the operation thereof.

The invention further comprises novel means of connection for the various parts of the hook, and in this connection includes means for preventing the separation of the spring, and means for reventing undue rubbing between the spring and its associated parts.

Again, it is contemplated to provide novel means for mounting the tongue and spring whereby the points of pivotal connection for each, where a U-shaped spring is employed, as is preferred, are arranged immediately adjacent one to the other thereby giving to the spring a longer leverage or bearing, which is an important factor with certain forms of hook where shortness is essential. Therefore the improvements are equally applicable to long and short hooks alike.

Other improvements and the various details in the construction and arrangement of the parts will be more particularly referred to hereinafter, and for a clear understanding of the invention reference should be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof and wherein isdisclosed for the purpose of illustration convenient and satisfactory embodiments of the invention.

Figure l is a top plan view of the hook,

Fig.2 is a bottom plan view, Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section, Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a portion of the hook, with the tongue and spring removed, Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the same, Figs. 6 and 7 are detail views of a modified form of body part of hook member, Fig. 8 is also a modified form of the same, Figs. 9 and 10 are modified forms of tongue members, and Flgs. l1 and 12 are modified forms of the spring member, Fig. 12 showing the spring as applied to the hook part.

With more particular reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views, 1 is the body portion of the hook member, the same gradually widening toward the rear end and connecting with a loop portion 2. The hook has the usual curved forward end 3 constituting the bill or hook proper, the latter having a recess or cutout part 8* as is usual. The forward wall 2 of the loop portion 2 is preferably slightly raised above the surface of the loop and body portion 2 as shown, and constitutes not only a neat finish, but an effective guard for the tongue and spring, to be presently described, providing against any contacting action of the ring or the like which may be connected to the loop 2. Also said shoulder 2 constitutes in effect an abutment or keeper for the rear end of the hook, as is obvious. Arranged slightly forwardly of said shoulder 2 is an opening 4 in the body portion which opening connects with an auxiliary opening 5 in the body portion, by a reduced portion or recess 6 formed by lessening the thickness of the web of the body portion between said openings t and 5. It is proposed to constitute the said web member which separates the openings 4 and 5, and which may be given the numeral 7, the hearing or support for both the tongue and spring members, to be presently described.

Obviously the body portion of the hook may be provided with a single opening, the said opening to be provided with a stud or projection, inwardly extending from the side wall of the body portion intermediate the ends of said single opening, thus separating said opening into the two spaces. This embodiment of the invention referred to is clearly illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, and in this connection it is observed that the bar 7 being unconnected at one end, may be forced outwardly at this point, as shown in Fig. 7, for the ready application of the tongue and spring, and then forced back into locking position, as shown in Fig. 6. It

is also obvious that a rod of separate mate-- rial may be arranged intermediate the ends of a single opening in the body portion, so as to provide the openings a and 5. Such an improvement is clearly illustrated in Fig. 8. The preferred construction however re sides in forming the openings as'shown in Figs. 1 to 5, that is having an integral portion or web, indicated by the numeral 7 extending from side to side of the body portion, and being slightly reduced on its under surface to provide the recess 6 before referred to as connecting said openings 4 and 5. V

As suggested the rib or rod 7 constitutes a bearing or support for the spring, which,

latter is conveniently U-shaped as shown, and comprises a heel portion 8 with a downwardly offset terminal 9 adapted for locking engagement with the body portion of the hook in a manner to be described, and an elongated bearing portion 10 adapted to engage the inner surface of the tongue, as will also be described. In the form illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawing the spring member is made up of a continuous metallic sheet bent upon itself. Arranged in the inner or upper surface of the body portion of the hook is a recess 11 connecting with a shoulder 11 behind which shoulder and in which recess, the offset terminal of the heel of the spring engages, whereby to retain the same from accidental separation from the hook, and to prevent undue binding contact of the bend of the spring with the tongue, or the wall of the shoulder or rib 2, according to the form of tongue provided as will be read ily understood from the drawings and the further description of these parts to follow. The bend of the spring is mounted on the bearing 7 and the latter is conveniently recessed at the rear, as stated at 6, said recess being of sufficient width to accommodate the spring and tending to prevent lateral separation of the latter when in'place. As is obvious the said recess 6 also allows the spring to position itself so as'toofier no ob struction beyond the rear surface of the bearing, which in the operation of the tongue might tend to bind against the wall of the latter, or against the shoulder or rib 2 of the loop, according to the type of tongue employed.

The tongue or latch is conveniently of a form adapted to be stamped from a single sheet of metal and comprises a body part l t with downwardly bent side ears or projections 14*. Preferably the ears are separated.

a sufficient distance to loosely overlie the side cated by the numeral 15 is shown as being solid and conveniently having a recess or dc pressed portion which overlies the bend in the spring, thereby further providing against rubbing contact with the spring, while permitting a snug pivotal engagement with the exposed portions of the bearing 7. In Fig. 9, the lip 16 has a cutout portion or recesslG which overlies the bend of the spring and prevents contact with thebend of the tongue, while the sidewalls of the opening 16 constitute an auxiliary.retaining means for the sides of the spring for preventing any unnecessary lateral play, should the spring project above the recess 16 in the bearing, or should said recess-be done away with which latter modification is within the contemplation of the invention.

The same results are accomplished in the form of hook illustrated in Fig. 1.0, in which the lip has a slotted portion 17 at its end thereby forming furcations or arms 17", adapted to have a pivotal engagement with the bearing 7, and like the side walls of the opening l6 inthe form of lip illustrated in Fig. 9, said arms l7 form therebetween a pocket in which the spring rests, preventing undue lateral movement of the spring.

In each of the forms of tongue illustrated in the drawings, it will be observedthat the same are readily applied to t-he bearing member 7, by simply inserting the lip of the tongue in the opening formed between the bearing 7 and the shoulder or rib 2, and

bending said'lip loosely about the bearing.

The rib or shoulder 2 may be said to constitute a guard or keeper for the tongue, and with the bearing 7 constitutes an effective retaining means for the hook to prevent accidental separation of the parts. It will also be observed that the rib or shoulder 2 which constitutes the rear wall of the loop 2, overlies and protects the bend of the tongue and spring from any contacting or injury by the ring or other member mounted upon the loop 2. Further it is noted that regardless of the type of tongue employed, the bend'of the spring is spaced from and protected from undue rubbing contact with the associated parts of the hook. Also it will be observed, from a reference to each of the embodiments of the tongue 15, above noted, that the projection or bent lip of the latter connects with a straight upwardly extending wall or shoulder 18, projecting at an angle to the body portion of the tongue and substantially parallel with the rear wall of the loop or shoulder 2 Said wall or projection 18 is preferably of a height somewhat in excess of that of the shoulder 2* and is extended at its sides beyond the lip of the tongue, to overlie the surface of the body portion of the hook 1. This projection or shoulder is an important feature of the invention, since it permits of a more direct downward pressure on the spring, and has the additional advantage of providing against the accidental catching of the thumb or finger of the operator between the rear end of the tongue and the adjacent rib or shoulder Qfi, during the operation of the tongue.

It is clear that the spring member may take additional forms, for instance a modified form is illustrated in Fig. 11, in which the spring, indicated by the numeral 19, while retaining a U-shaped configuration with the offset terminal 19 to engage in the recess 11 in the hook, is formed of a single piece, conveniently of wire, bent upon itself to form oppositely disposed arms, one pair of which constitute the heel and the other the bearing portion of the spring. The free arms or bearing portion of .the spring engages between the side lips 15 of the tongue as is obvious, the bearing web 7 is conveniently recessed at 19, so as toafford seats for the bend of the spring. The lip 19 of the tongue is conveniently solid as shown and engages the bearing 7 between the arms of the spring.

The snap hooks constructed in accordance with my invention are cheaply manufactured, strong and durable and readily assembled, and in a manner preventing accidental separatio-n. Again by reason of the fact that the pivotal bearing for the spring and tongue is at the same point, it is possible to make the bearing arm of the spring substantially coextensive with the tongue, with the result that while the free end of the tongue will be firmly held by the spring in looking engagement with the recess 3 of the hook, at the same time the resistance of the spring is readily overcome by pressure on the tongue as is obvious. This feature of the invention is also important when it is desired to provide a relatively short hook of the character under consideration.

In the assembling of the parts, the operator places the spring in position upon the bearing 7, with the heel of the spring passing through the opening 5 of the body portion of the hook and the offset terminal projection fitted within the recess 3 in the inner surface of said body portion of the hook. The tongue member which as stated may be formed from a single sheet of metal,

with the forward ears or lips bent down Wardly from the forward end thereof, is then placed in position upon the hook, with the lip portion thereof extending through the opening 4 forward of and adjacent to the rib or shoulder 2 when said lip may be bent around the bearing 7 The parts may also be readily detached by simply rebending to a slight extent the lip or tail portion of the hook, when the same may be readily separated from the hook, and when the spring may likewise be released.

What I claim is:

1. In a snap hook the combination of a body part, having a hook at one end and a transversely extending slot adjacent the rear end, a tongue engaging at one end the hook and having a downwardly projecting tail piece inserted in said slot, the forward wall of said slot forming means for limiting the forward movement of the tongue, and the rear wall of said slot forming means for preventing rearward movement of the tongue, and said tail part of the tongue engaging one wall of the slot to limit the upward movement thereof, and the body portion of the tongue having a downwardly bent wall connecting with said tail part, the said wall being of a width to overlie the edges of said slot and of a height to position the rear end of the body part of the tongue above the body part of the hook, and a spring interposed between the tongue and body part.

2. In a snap hook, the combination of a body part having a hook at one end and a transversely extending slot adjacent the rear end, a tongue engaging at one end the hook and having a downwardly projecting tail piece inserted in said slot, the forward wall of said slot forming means for limiting the forward movement of the tongue, and the rear wall of said slot forming means for rearward movement of the tongue, said tail part of the tongue engaging one wall of the slot to limit the upward movement thereof, and a part on the tongue to engage the upper surface of the body part to limit the downward movement of the tongue, the tail part of the tongue having an opening therethrough intermediate its sides, and a substantially U-shaped spring mounted at its bend around the forward wall of said slot of the body part and be tween the side walls of the opening of the tail part of the tongue, that portion of the tail part of the tongue at opposite sides of the opening therein forming relatively wide fiat bearing surfaces engaging the wall of the slot.

8. In a pivoted tongue snap hook, the combination of a body portion having a hook at its forward end and separated transversely extending openings therepreventing 1 ithrough adjacent the rear end, said openings being separated from one another to form an intermediate bearing bar, a sheet metal tongue having a free forward end adapted to engage the hook and having at its opposite end a downwardly bent part to engage the upper surface of the body portion at the ends of the rear opening where by to position the rear end of the tongue upward above the wall surrounding the transverse opening of the body portion, and

also having intermediate the sides of said downwardly bent part a projecting lip of bendable material passing through said rear opening and having relatively wide surfaces engaging a wall of said opening whereby the tongue is pivotally supported, a substantially'U-shaped spring mounted at its bend upon said bearing bar and adapted to engage the tongue and body portion of the V hook respectively, the said downwardly bent part of the tongue having intermediate its side a recess adapted to overlie the bend of the spring.

. 4; In a pivoted tongue snap hook, the combination of a body portion having a hookat'the forward end thereof and separated transversely extended openings therethrough adjacent the opposite end thereof, said openings forming there between a bearing bar, a tongue the forward terminal of which engages the hook and the rear end of which has a bent part forming an upright wall of a length to overlie the ends of the rear opening and of a height substantiallyabove the upper surface of the body portion and connecting with a lip of a size to project through the rear opening, the said lip being bent about the wall of the rear opening and having relatively wide bearing surfaces whereby the tongue is pivotally supported, the rear wall of the rear opening forming means to limit the rear: ward movement of the tongue, and a spring interposed between the tongue and body portion of the hook and mounted upon said bearing bar.

5. In a snap hook, the combination of a hook having a body port-ion terminating at its forward end in a hook part and having adjacent the rear end thereof two transversely extending openings separated from one another by a relatively narrow bearing bar, a substantially U-shaped spring positioned at its bendon its bar with its opposite arms projecting through said openings, a tongue member of bendable material adapted at its forward end to engage the hook and having inwardly bent portions at its sides to engage over the sides of the body portion of the hook, said tongue also having a downwardly extending portion constituting an upright wall resting on the top surfacefof the body portion and said clown- 'wardly bent portion having a projecting relatively wide tail or lip intermediate its sides constituting the terminal of the tongue which tail or lip is bent forwardly whereby its inner surface engages around said bearing bar, and said lip having a cutout part intermediate its sides overlying the bend of the spring.

rear wall of the rear opening being formed by the inner wall of the loop, a sheet metal tongue adapted at one end to engage the hook and struck up at its opposite end to form a vertically extending wall to engage the upper surface of the body part and position the rear end of the tongue above the body portion of the hook'part, said vertical wall terminating in a tail piece which latter passes through the rear opening and has an inner fiatsurface which engages about the bearing member, and a substantially U- shaped spring mounted at its bend upon the bearing member with one arm engaglng the hook and the other arm engaging the body part;

7 In a snap hook, the combination of a body part having at one end a hook and at its opposite end a plurality of transversely extendingopenings both of which openings are inclosed and that part of the hook member separating said openings'forming abearing bar, and a tongue constructed of sheet metal and formed of a body portion having side ears adjacent its forward end, and adapted at its forward end to engage the hook, and a downwardly bent tail piece at the rear end of the tongue, the latter being separatedto form two oppositely disposed relatively wide flat fingers the inner surface of which engages said bearing member, and a U-shaped spring mounted at its bend on the bearingmember with one arm engaging'the hook and the other arm the body part, the fingers of the tongue being arranged at opposite sides of said spring, substantially as and for the purpose described. v

8. In a snap hook, the combination of a body part having at one end a hook and at its opposite end a plurality of. transversely extending openings both of which openings are inclosed and that part of the hook member separating said openings forming a bearing bar which latter is separated at one side and bendable, and a tongueconstructecl of sheet metal and formed of a body portion having-side ears adjacent its forward end,

and adapted at its forward end to engagethe hook, and a downwardly benttail piece at the rear end of the tongue, the latter be ing separated to form tWo oppositely disposed relatively Wide fiat fingers the inner surface of which engages said bearing member, and a U-shaped spring mounted at its bend on the bearing member with one arm engaging the hook and the other arm the body part, the fingers of the tongue being arranged at opposite sides 0i said spring,

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

JOHN B. BAXTER.

Witnesses CHARLEY PAYNE, LEWIS C. KNIGHT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). 0. 

